What happens when the meninges swell?

What happens when the meninges swell?

Meningitis is an infection of the membranes (meninges) that protect the spinal cord and brain. When the membranes become infected, they swell and press on the spinal cord or brain. This can cause life-threatening problems. Meningitis symptoms strike suddenly and worsen quickly.

What is meningeal inflammation?

Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges. The meninges are the three membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis can occur when fluid surrounding the meninges becomes infected. The most common causes of meningitis are viral and bacterial infections.

What is inflammation of the meninges called and what do the meninges cover?

Meningitis means “inflammation of the meninges.” The meninges (plural of meninx) are membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. They can become inflamed when an infection occurs in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) surrounding these membranes.

What are meninges what causes them to become inflamed or swollen?

Meningitis is an inflammation (swelling) of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. A bacterial or viral infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord usually causes the swelling. However, injuries, cancer, certain drugs, and other types of infections also can cause meningitis.

What antibiotic treats meningitis?

Commonly used meningitis treatments include a class of antibiotics called cephalosporins, especially Claforan (cefotaxime) and Rocephin (ceftriaxone). Various penicillin-type antibiotics, aminoglycoside drugs such as gentamicin, and others, are also used.

What are 3 types of meninges?

meninges, singular meninx, three membranous envelopes—pia mater, arachnoid, and dura mater—that surround the brain and spinal cord. Cerebrospinal fluid fills the ventricles of the brain and the space between the pia mater and the arachnoid.

What is Pachymeningitis?

Pachymeningitis is a rare illness which can be shown by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to be a thickening of the intracranial dura mater, when associated with an infectious, malignant, or rheumatic systematic disease.1–,6 “Idiopathic hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis” is also noticeable, and is based on a process …

What is disorder of meninges?

Listen to pronunciation. (meh-NIN-jee-ul SIN-drome) A condition marked by headache, fever, and a stiff neck, which is caused when the meninges (three thin layers of tissue that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord) become irritated.

What does meningitis mean in terms of medical terms?

The Facts. Meningitis means “inflammation of the meninges.”. The meninges (plural of meninx) are membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. They can become inflamed when an infection occurs in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) surrounding these membranes.

What causes inflammation of the meninges in the brain?

Meningitis means “inflammation of the meninges.” The meninges (plural of meninx) are membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. They can become inflamed when an infection occurs in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) surrounding these membranes. Other things such as medications, tumours, and chemical exposure can also cause meningitis.

Where does a meningioma occur in the brain?

A meningioma is a tumor that arises from the meninges — the membranes that surround your brain and spinal cord.

What is the thin inner layer of the meninges called?

Pia Mater This thin inner layer of the meninges is in direct contact with and closely covers the cerebral cortex and spinal cord. The pia mater has a rich supply of blood vessels, which provide nutrients to nervous tissue.